why were only Levite males counted?
The census was for the purpose of doing the physical work with the Tabernacle and sacrifices, and the men did that. See also the next question. Q: In Num 3:16-34, why were Levites from one-month old counted, since males one-month old were not counted for the other tribes? A: Scripture does not say. One possible reason might be that the ratio of men to young boys was not affected by war, since the Levites did not go to war. Q: In Num 3:28, why do the totals not add up? A: There likely is a copyist error here, copying 8,600 when it should have been 8,300. See The NIV Study Bible p.194 for more info. Q: In Num 3:42-46 why does the percentage of firstborn males appear low? A: Either this is the firstborn born in the wilderness, or Pharaoh had most of the firstborn in Egypt killed. See the discussion on Numbers 1 for the answer. Q: In Num 3:48, why did they have to pay for the odd number? A: God could deal with the Israelites however He wanted. God apparently desired to deal with them in a
